Work in progress - You've Got Mail

A failed project - recycled.

Summary:  took a class - double wedding ring, selected these fabrics along with some others and when they were cut once sewn and then cut again and sewn. Talk about a dogs breakfast so to speak. 

I liked all the fabrics I selected but they looked terrible in this pattern.  It just was not working so I threw away the blocks I did, and saved all the blocks I had already cut up into 10 inch squares.

I recycled them into making this block called "you've got mail."

I found this pattern on the Internet and think it's a really fun block.  So you can see I've made quite a few blocks, and arranged them into the mail blocks I liked.

It's a work in progress, and I hope to get the top all pieced and together tomorrow.  I will keep you posted.

Quilt til you drop,

Debbie

I Won, I won - yes I'm doing the "happy dance"

My lucky lucky win... a fabulous door prize made and donated by Bonnie for the FVMQG Meeting....

Bonnie, here is your fab table runner on our dining room table. We used it as our centre piece for our Thanksgiving Dinner tonight and our guest's loved it.

I am still doing the "happy dance" on my win.  I feel so lucky.  You are a very talented lady and I will cherish this table runner forever!!!!

Here is the back of the table runner for everyone to check out her fantatic quilting. The back is a design and picture in itself. 

Sorry I just can't seem to get this picture the correct landscape way, so it's portrait, but you get the idea.  the quilting is amazing as I mentioned.

I hope you all like it too, and again  a big big "THANKS YOU" to BONNIE!

Debbie

PS: I'll be looking forward to crossing my fingers for the win, when she donates another door prize for sure.

.

What I did on my Summer Vacation.....Drumheller, Alberta - The "largest Dinosaur" in the World - Go see it!

"Welcome to Drumheller"...the whole town is crazy for anything Dinosaur...it's all about these prehistoric creatures including of course "T-REX, and other various status of them scattered around town wherein they are engaged in having some fun.... (my hubby in the picture).

flowers anyone...

...please take me for a ride in your side car

Dinosaur's, Dinosaur's, and more Dinosaur's...  Drumheller, Alberta is home to the world class Royal Terrell Museum - and as they say;

                        "The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a popular Canadian tourist attraction and a leading centre of palaeontological research noted for its collection of more than 130,000 fossils."  

Just a few pictures above, but you could take thousands, as it just keeps getting better and better as you travel though the museum displays.

There are lots of hotels motels etc, but if camping or RV'ing stay at the Hoodoos RV Resort & Campground  http://www.hoodooresort.com  the staff are friendly, the showers clean and tidy and good laundry facility as well.  It is located along the Red Deer River and the "hoodoo's" are just down the Highway.

You can not explain the Hoodoos better than what the Royal Tyrell Museum states; and it's another must see while in Drumheller.  Their site explains the Hoodoos;

HOODOOS

Recognized as one of Alberta's most popular and identifiable geological formations, hoodoos were formed by the effects of erosion caused by water, wind, and frost. 

Check this website to learn about Drumheller, and all there is to see and do there.  You'll be impressed as I was. This website gives you some insite into the great adventures available to see and experience.

http://www.traveldrumheller.com/

To visit Wayne, you must cross over 11 one way bridges and don't forget to stop off at the "Last Chance Salon",  it is full of nestalga! 

Have fun planning your next vacation to Drumheller, Alberta.

I'm thrilled we went.

Debbie

Needle Book

Okay, let's face it, I'm late, very late on the FVMQG - Needle Book Swap.

Boo Hoo as I could not participate because I was away, but I did get the needle book finished on time!

But was unable to get it handed in, as I had an opportunity to go out of town in our motorhome for 2 months.

Sorry ladies need I say more.  I was packed and ready to go in a flash.  Yup in about 10 minutes I was ready, willing and able to go, and had my sewing machine packed with me to finish other "UFO's."

I am sure the "Needle Book" swap was awesome, and I look forward to hearing about it when I return.  I am sure there were some awesome needle books swapped.

Here is the one I made, but did not get swapped, so maybe I'll give it in as a "door prize" or something fun like this.

I make it like a wallet and filled it with pages made of wool.  I like wool, it is the first time I have worked with wool.  Fabulous colors are available. 

A little accessory "needle" I found in my travels.

This is an awesome buttom made by the "button lady" on Pender Island. They are made from Ceramic. It went so well with the colors of wool pages in the book. Check out the wonderful buttons Wendy makes at  buttonladysgallery.com

Ah yes...the little thimble and needle threader too!

Blog list ....what should I follow next!!!

Blog, Blog, Blog....

Okay let's talk blog's...who should I follow, what do I like, what interests me, and what can I learn from a blog..that's my criteria for snooping, following, watching, or what ever you want to call it!  Blogs are GREAT!

Super Great if you ask me (okay, you are right, no one was asking, I'm just saying).

I will speak only for myself, everytime a see new blog, I get excited.

I like to change up the "list" of blogs I follow, it's not like buying a new pair of shoes. They  don't all start off great,, and then end up awesome, sometimes it's the original ones you liked that come full circle and are back on your "list of blogs I follow."

There are so many FANTASTIC blogs out there, you can continually be inspired and in awe of what these wonderful people are doing, and or saying in their blogs!

"Thank you" to all these  incredibly talented people who love to SHARE!   You are appreciated, and keep up the good work.  I thank you for sharing your talents, loves, and dreams etc, with who ever is reading your blogs, and me too!  You are in essence making someone else smile, laugh and/or learn while reading your blog (they make me smile too!).

Being that I am new to blogging there is just too much to learn in my lifetime, so I plug along with what I know (not much when it comes to blogging).

I seem to be searching and reading more and more various types of blogs and want to share some of them with you.

Go ahead, step out on the wild side and check some of them out.

Explore....the world of blogs.

Check out the following blogs (maybe you already follow them);

www.carolinapatchworks.com   she created an awesome "dinosaur word" quilt for her kids - really cool

www.amandamurphydesign.blogspot.ca   Amanda seems to present all things beautifully

www.lisakijak.blogspot.ca  Wow, what an artist

http://thepioneerwoman.com/   Ree is always up to something!  I've been watching here for a long time, and she lives on a working Ranch (check out her dog)....

http://retrotocookingschool.blogspot.ca/  She's got it going on!

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.ca/   Yikes she's good at rejuvinating old junk (as she states).

Have fun, and don't forget to forward any of your favourites I should check out.

Happy blogging to all.
Debbie

My "Moosin' You" Quilt Finished - ready to ship

I finished the quilt I made for my brother Brent -  "Moosin' You"

Here are some pictures of the final quilt, which I will ship out tomorrow to him.  Hope he likes it.

  

The back

The "Moosin' You"  Label on the back.

Preemie Quilt (made from recycled bunting) is Finished

Original bunting made by Sherry that I won

Recap:  Received this piece of bunting at the FVMQG (Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild) when we had a bunting swap for the 2nd Anniversary Party.  Sherry made this one, and was very clever using prairie points so it could be un-picked.  Which is what I did.

LQG (Langley Quilters Guild)  had a call to the community quilts for preemie quilts for the ambulance service, and what a great way to recycle the bunting.  So here it is, a little preemie quilt all done.

I used the bias tape from the bunting to create my binding.

The back with my little label using up the last piece of bunting too!

I tried one of the fancy stitches on my new sewing machine, and tried to create these little hearts on the brown/pink polka dot squares.

I love my Sunflowers - save on plastic wrap !!! Cook without oils or fats !!!

 Okay, I'm not talking Sunflowers, as in the "flower kind", I got the coolest things to share with you all...(drum roll please).. these are "my sunflowers"... silicone lids.... (they come as a two pack).

I am not going to begin to be a copy writer but this is what the information tag says, "they seal tight on all smooth rims, stainless steel, glass, plastic and melamine."

They are from the fabulous creator  Charles Viancin  and as he said, "inspired by nature."

I originally purchased them while in Vernon and have been using them ever since, we have been also taking the set with us camping for various drinks outside (I got ordered more from the Internet and got them today).  YAHOO!

My husband can tell you how much he likes them for his glass of wine, especially when enjoying this tasty beverage while outside - no bugs get in your wine!  Who needs the competition (imagine a bug trying to drink your wine, NOPE not gonna' happen)!

I am actually suspending this by this tab - which has created the suction on the glass (just to give you the idea).

4-1/4 inches in diameter on the sunflower

 The Lily Pad - Lid 8-1/4 inches in diameter.

suspending the bowl with lid over my chair.

This is the actual picture on the packaging (you get the idea).

Apparently it saves on plasticwrap; it can be reused and reused and reused!

Just check out the website  www.charlesviancin.com  and see all the great fun stuff!

Happy shopping.

Debbie

Cheryl Arkison - Sunday Morning Quilts

I had the pleasure of meeting the very talented  Cheryl Arkison

The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild and the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild hosted this great evening, and we were all inspired by Cheryl's great trunk show. 

She brought a fabulous collection of quilts featured in the book.  You could feel the buzz of excitment in the room while we all listened, learned and started thinking of what we could all make next...it was all very creative.  

Cheryl is the co-author of  the book called, Sunday Morning Quilts .

Inside this wonderful book you will find 16 various quilting ideas, and as the book cover states; "Sort, Store and Use Every Last Bit of Your Treasured Fabrics."   

the book...Sunday Morning Quilts

Me and Cheryl, while she was "signing" my copy!  How cool is that.  A signed copy.  YAHOO!!!!

Cheryl's trunk show was filled with a wonderful collection of "wow" quilts, that have been created by using their treasured fabrics, and she gave us some great idea's of  how she stores and categorises all her scraps etc.

Her trunk was full of quilts (various sizes) that she and her co-author, Amanda Jean Nyberg made and compile in there book.  These are just a couple of pictures of the quilts she brought.

It was a great evening and I have been inspired by her work, and promise to continue in my own quest to organise and think of using my scraps, bits and pieces of left over fabrics and try to re-create my interpretation of their projects.  Thanks to both ladies for writing and creating this book, and a special thank you to Cheryl for this evenings trunk show.

Make sure you check out these ladies websites and blogs by using the following links, and be inspired.

cherylarkison.com  and crazymomquilts.blogspot.com  for Amanda Jean Nybert

Thanks ladies for writing such a great book, and I shall think of you both fondly, as the "scrap ladies."

To everyone who attended this wonderful trunk show, lets all get busy and as Cheryl and Amanda say in their book, your sunday mornings just got a hole lot cozier! 

Enjoy

Debbie