Sunshine Travels

Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

is hosting

the

Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge.

 

"Sunshine Travels" 

is my first contribution

for 2014.

(I have another top ready to quilt, but the deadline draws near)

With a bunch of solid Kona strips in a box,

I used this Jelly Roll Race Video

by Missouri Star Quilt Co.

as my inspiration to sew the quilt top.

Once all the strips were sewn together, it was an odd size.

I cut it in half to make two lap quilts.

This is the first one.

I added circles to make it more pleasing to me.

(I really hated the way it looked before the bright yellow circles)

Now it's a bright, sunny, and happy quilt

sent to put sunshine in some one's life.

Finished with a quilt label,

The quilting is free motion swirls in the circles and  lines sewn as sun rays.

Stay tuned to see if I finish another...lol

Sharing a picture of my photography assistant.

I think I wore her out.

Friday Finish - Tammy Project Bags

I've had a little fun this week creating Tammy Project Bags.

I want to make one for everyone...

My friend, Mdm Samm over at Sew We Quilt has the pattern available HERE.

All of the proceeds from sales of the pattern

are going towards purchasing sewing machines

for ladies in need.

Perfect for keeping scissors, thread, and needles close by.

I made one with a friend in mind, Tea for Two.

Oh how I wish we could sit down and share a cup of tea.

It is now stuffed with goodies and on it's way

for a belated birthday...

So this is what it feels like to wake up to a rainy morning.

Yes, can you believe it?

We have had a little rain.

Droplets in the gauge count as rain, right?

Oh happy day,

Sharing with Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.

One for me, one for you - Win Win

And the winner is.....

 

me.

 

At least I felt like one when I opened my mail box and found

 

 

RECIPES!

My friend Vickie over at More Stars in Comanche 

sent me two mouth watering recipes!

THANK YOU, VICKIE!!!

 

You see, my daughter is getting married in October and I want to make her a recipe book with recipes.

 

My first thought was,

"How much fun would it be to have my friends from all over the world help me?"

Not only recipes, but advice for a new bride could be fun, too.

A Virtual Bridal Shower

 with tips and recipes.

 

If you feel like sending me a recipe card, I would love that. Just comment and I will give you my address.

 

I will have a few prizes and more information about the book soon.

 

 

The winner of my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is

AMBER!!

 

I had so much fun reading about all the games people play on rainy days.

 

Thank you!

 

Amber said...

I normally read on rainy days, but if I had to pick a game, probably hide and go seek.

May 13, 2014 at 11:47 AM

 

 

Amber will receive

two fat quarters of Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric

Game Pieces.

 

Thanks to all my followers, new and faithful, for making this giveaway an extra fun one.

 

A new hop starts soon and I am ready to show you a picnic

 

 

Here's to a new week!

 



Blogger's Quilt Festival - You Can Can Can

I want to thank Amy over at

 Amy's Creative Side 

for hosting the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  There is so much inspiration to see.

My entry is "You Can Can Can"

I first blogged about this quilt HERE.

Created for the "Think Ruffles" Blog Hop.

I live in Dodge City, Kansas and when I think of ruffles I think of dresses with lots of them.

Can-Can Dancers!

This picture was taken in front of Boot Hill and the Long Branch Saloon

where, every night during the summer you can watch real, live Can-Can dancers perform.

I machine stitched the hair and faces with 2 strands of thread.

Of course every hair do is a different color.

(I'm a hair stylist)  :)

The dresses are yards and yards of ribbon.
Satin and organza ribbon.

Between 5 1/2 - 7 yards per dress depending on the size of the ribbon.
 ( I was shocked when I kept track.)

Some of the dresses have organza ruffles inside, but I learned the hard way that it melts.  lol

So the right side of the skirts (the part under the fused leg ) is satin ribbon. Satin ribbon doesn't melt.  *winking big*

The garters are just a wee bit of satin ribbon.

I used this post card as inspiration.

I cut the edges of the quilt in a scallop using a technical technique - a soup bowl and tracing around it.  :) 

Moda Basic Grey Little Black Dress 2 Timeless fabric was used for the

ruffle and the bias binding. 

Kona white was used as the background for the can-can dancers.

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Stats

Finished quilt measures : 33" x 33"

Pattern:  designed by me and a friend.  Drawing (template) on Craftsy.

Special techniques used : ruffled ribbon, applique, double thread stitching, scalloped edges,  free motion quilting on my domestic machine - feathers (my first time)

Quilted by : Me :)

Best Category : Original Design Quilts

We're having a heat wave,
A tropical heat wave,
The way that she moves
That thermometer proves
That she certainly can can-can.

Thanks for visiting!

Now get the heck out of Dodge and check out the other wonderful quilts at the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day - Eclectic Elements

Today is a giveaway day.

What better way to start a week?

 

Thank you for visiting

Creatin' in the Sticks.

 

Sew Mama Sew 

hosts a great giveaway link up where bloggers
link up to share giveaways.
It's a fantastic way to find new blog friends

and

WIN!!!

 

So let's get to the reason you are here...

 

 

This fabric is so retro and I love it.

 

Two fat quarters of Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric

Game Pieces.

One is called neutral and the other taupe.

Imagine the possibilities.

 

To win

Just comment below a favorite game.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY ON RAINY DAYS?

(When you can't sew, of course)

 

You don't have to follow to win,

but if you do,

leave another comment telling me how you follow for another chance to win.

 

Any one can win

Make sure I can contact you if you aren't a registered user of google.

 

Drawing ends May 16, 2014 at 5 pm pacific time.

Winner will be announced on May 18th.

 

UPDATE:  the winner is Amber.

 

 

THANK YOU

for

VISITING!!

 

 





Mother's Day Finishes

I finished up a couple Mother's Day gifts this week.

I found this rick rack 

 (the narrowest rick rack ever) 

 in my grandmother's sewing cabinet and wanted to incorporate it into

the apron I made for my mom.

I wish you could buy notions for 15 cents now.

I chose a watermelon fabric because my Mom grew up on a farm and my grandfather raised watermelon.

My grandfather was known for his wonderful watermelon and was called the

Watermelon King of Sumner County.

She asked me to make her an apron that crisscrossed in the back and buttoned at the shoulders

a few years ago.

I put the rick rack on the front of the pocket to give it a little of my grandma's love.

The apron is on it's way to make my momma smile for Mother's Day.

There is another special lady who will have an apron for Mother's Day.

My MIL loves to quilt, so I made her a reversible apron adorned with a few quilt blocks.

This is the reverse.  

 The fabric is by Quilting Treasures and the main fabric is called Just a Pinch

with herbs and spices all over it - perfect for an apron.

It's been an apron week, but I do have a couple quilts to show you soon...

I even have a picnic to share with you next month.

Happy Mother's Day weekend,

Sharing the Cabin with the Millers

It's THAT time of year.

The one time of year we do not want visitors.

We have plenty.

We fight miller moths every year at this time.

Some years are worse than others.

This looks like it's going to be a bad one.

We spray to get ready for them because we know they are coming, but it only helps so much.

People say the moths are on their way to Colorado

and just passing through.

Did I invite them?  NO!

We love our screened in porch

except for this.

During the day, the shop vac and the vacuum cleaner run full time.

They get in the house, by the way.

I don't know how they do it, but they get into everything.

At night, soapy water traps.

Aren't you glad you aren't here....

The picture above was not edited.  Do you see the way the flash grabbed one of the millers and made it look like a huge one at the top of the white light shield?

Luckily, this only lasts for about a week and then we can clean up this mess and get ready for 

SUMMER!!!

I can't even believe I shared this....

YUCK!!!!!

I'm so glad I cleaned windows.  Laughing and crying at the same time.

HELP!!

A Little Wedding Help? Just asking...



Wedding plans are  really starting to come together. 

 

I need help with a couple of things and I know my blogging friends can help.

 

In case you don't know, my daughter is going to be married in October.

 

 

This quilt block was created for an outdoor flag for the wedding and was part of the Flags on a Stick blog hop back in April.  It is entered in the:

 

AccuQuilt Win the Dream Quilt Block Design Contest

AccuQuilt - Win the Dream Quilt Block Contest

I want I Do to Win the Dream! Vote for I Do and you can win too. Prizes are being given away daily, valued up to $700 per day just for voting!



 

 

My daughter, Trista, with her husband-to-be, Kyle, and their dog, Chief.

 

Over the Easter holiday we went wedding dress shopping and were lucky to have my mom and my son join us for the day. 

 

Me, Trista, Dress Shop Lady, and Randy

Here is a picture of the lady at the dress shop showing Trista the particulars.  My mom took the pictures and, dumb me, I never grabbed the camera to take a shot of Trista with her Grandma.  I won't make that mistake twice....wink.

 

 

Trista really wanted her grandmother and brother there to help choose a dress, but we all agreed on THE one.  It was a "no brainer" when she walked out glowing...

 

Trista and her brother, Randy

The dress will be revealed after the wedding, but I'm so moved when I see the pictures of the shopping day that I can't imagine what THE WEDDING DAY will be like.

 

So here is where I ask for help. 

 

I want to make a recipe book for my daughter (she loves to cook) and thought,

 

"How much fun would it be to have my friends from all over the world help me?"

 

I'm still trying to come up with particulars, but for those who wouldn't mind contributing a recipe by snail mail in their own hand writing I would be so happy to include it in the book.

 

I also thought about doing a linky party and maybe coming up with prizes for contributors and then I would print the posts to include in the recipe book (with permission, of course).

 

Not only recipes, but advice for a new bride could be fun, too.

 

A Virtual Bridal Shower

 

ANY IDEAS?

 

Leave me a comment. 

I think June (the traditional wedding month) would be the month for the linky party.   I've never done a linky party and think this is the perfect occasion for one.

 

If you feel like sending me a recipe card, I would love that.  Just comment and I will give you my address.

 

 

This recipe book is something she will use and cherish, so thank you for your help!